Safari in Tanzania practically: visas, flight, organization

Visas and transport

In Tanzania rainy season last from November to May although in other months rain can catch us. More animals are in rainy season (mostly in May) but in dry season it is easier to trace them (they are nearby waterholes).

Visa is received on the border after paying 50 USD. Photos are not required, sometimes you need to have yellow book – document with confirmation about grafting against yellow fever.

Usually flights are to Kilimanjaro airport near Arusha but because of different promotions a lot of tourists fly to Nairobi in Kenya from where to Arusha you can drive by bus (3,5-5 h.).

Organization of Safari

Theoretically you can rent a car and go to Serengeti by your own but practically – because of ignorance the territory, danger from wild animals, risk of technical problems – it is used from safari offers prepared by local offices. In this layout car is driven by driver guide who knows the best animals’ habits, there is also a cooker preparing meals. Safari prices are quite high, low-budget versions started from 150 USD per day (Spartan camping, three meals a day), plus comes an amount for tips.

Serengeti Park

Entry gate to the park is situated about 320 km to the East from city Arusha in the North Tanzania. The access road just in half is asphalted; in the park ways are gravel courses, it must not drift off course and speed is limited to 50km/h. Park fees on the whole are included in price which Safari pays. For each 24 hours staying in the park, foreigners pay 60 USD (children 5-16 years old 20 USD), and there also comes payment for vehicle (40 USD) and for accommodation (night at the camping 30-50 USD).

What to take

Camera with telephoto or good zoom, eventually binoculars, a flashlight (indispensable to the campsite). Outfit should not bright (for example gray, khaki), typically summer but at the evening it is worth to have longer pants and t-shirt with long-sleeve (even because of mosquitoes) and just in case something warmer for example fleece (at the high 1500 m n.p.m at the evenings is cold). Airy shoes – most of the time is spent in car (sandals or filp-flops) unless we have in plans safari afoot (wandering by bush) – then it is needed to have trekking shoes. At cheap camps necessary is sleeping bag. Remember also about antimalarial tablets.